Category: Sports

By Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

This year, the Lady Knights have had a more prosperous season than ever. As of May 1st the Girls were sitting with a 10-1 record, only falling to Abington Heights. After losing several key players in the class of 2023, the new talent on the team has not only filled positions, but completely changed the course of the team’s path.

The young team welcomed highly talented freshmen, like Ellie Kersey ‘27. Kersey, a midfielder specializing in draw control, already has several lacrosse accolades this year. Kersey has an average of 6.33 points per game, making her the Wyoming Valley Conference’s fourth highest scorer. On the attack line, captain Sienna Popple ‘24 has also made a significant impact, on the most recent count averaging 4.67 points per game. Defensively, goalie Eva Blaum ‘25 has a total save rate of 0.524%, the fourth highest in the conference. Goalie Celeste Perry ‘24 has a save average of 0.500%, the sixth highest save rate in the conference.

The girls took home a win at their senior night on April 26 against Belefonte Area, winning 21-5. Kersey also achieved her 100th draw control. Despite Belefonte Area getting the first point on the board, the Knights rallied forthwith, obtaining a several point lead by the nd of the first quarter. Captain Abby Williams ‘24 and Laine Cabell ‘24 put up several points in the first quarter. Williams ended with 6 goals total and Cabell ended with 2 goals. This win serves as a great confidence boost for the team as they looked forward to playing Scranton Prep and Crestwood. Crestwood holds the highly contended number one ranking, with Prep at number four, right behind the SEM girls in the three spot. Ryleigh McDonell ‘26 was very excited for the Crestwood game. She said, “Crestwood’s always a great team, but this year I think we are more evenly matched and I think we have a great shot at winning.” Emma Butcher ‘26 expressed a similar sentiment, saying “I think we are having a great season, and beating Crestwood isn’t out of reach.” The girls continued to be incredibly confident, as their skills speak for themselves. The Knights are motivated to keep leading the conference and to continue elevating their program as a whole. As fans, the SEM community is incredibly excited.

By Michael DeMuro ’27

In April, Luke Lilledahl ’24 and alumna Kennedy Blades ’22 were accepted to the Olympic Trials for wrestling. This prestigious honor did not go unrecognized by the Sem community. As a current student, Lilledahl’s peers had a send-off at the Sprague alleyway.

At the trial, Lilledahl placed 5th overall. When asked about his experience, Lilledahl said, “It was really fun […] being able to see players I’ve looked up to and how they prepare and wrestle.” When the Olympics return in 4 years, Lilledahl plans on trying again, and then again after that, until he reaches his goal.

Blades won first place at 76 kg in the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. At just 20, Kennedy, a second-place finisher when she was 17 at the Olympic Team Trials in 2021, is among the youngest wrestlers on the women’s or men’s teams.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games begin in just over two months, scheduled from July 26 through August 11. #GoBlueKnights

By Michael DeMuro ’27

The Sem wrestling season has been phenomenal so far. The recent victory against Blair Academy has everyone feeling great and adds another win to their undefeated season.

Blair Academy is #2 in the country and is Sem’s biggest rival in most sports, particularly wrestling and football. Sem and Blair will wrestle again at national preps, which is sure to be as heated, if not more, as the recent match which was held here, on Sem turf on January 12th. Many are easger to see the national preps unfold.

Several people view this victory against Blair as revenge for the loss against them in the football game that occurred in the fall. Cornell Robinson, the wrestling coach for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, stated, “It’s been good for the first half of the season…, however, it’s what you do at the end of the season that counts.” The team has been working hard since late August, and it is clear that their work has been paying off. The season will not end until the completion of the spring term, so they still have many more matches to prove why they are number one in the country.

As Davis Motyka ‘24 said, “I think the team has been growing closer each day,… everyone brings each other upduring practice and school.” The wrestlers work very hard to keep their grades up and balance school withwrestling very well. Even though the team is undefeated, all the players still work to be even better than they already are. Robinson was hired in 2021 and filled the position seamlessly.

Following the influential mentorship of last year’s seniors, this year’s seniors have stepped up to the challenge and have continued a positive influence on their new freshmen teammates.  The team can be found almost every day practicing in the Great Hall,  which used to be a bank and still retains some of its original features such as the offices and the vaults, which are now used to store equipment.

On a personal note, I’d like to end by saying this; I have attended several matches and duels and have also gotten to know most of the wrestlers in social settings. I can say without a doubt that these athletes have some of the best work ethic I have ever seen. That, combined with their respect and friendship for each other on and off the mat, is the reason they are the champions of Wyoming Seminary.